Immigration law is at the forefront of public dialogue these days. Womble Bond Dickinson’s Immigration Solutions team helps employers navigate high-stakes, constantly shifting immigration challenges to avoid potential problems and secure the talent they need to make their companies thrive. The following newsletter, drafted by Womble Bond Dickinson Immigration Solutions attorneys, covers some of the recent and most important developments in immigration law.

6/30/2022    The U.S. Supreme Court issued a 5-4 decision affirming the Biden Administration’s authority to end Migrant Protection Protocols (“MPP”), also known as the “Remain in Mexico” policy. This program forces asylum-seekers to wait in Mexico for the duration of their immigration proceedings.  

6/29/2022    USCIS updated their website with information for Afghan nationals that include information on applying for TPS, asylum, special immigrant visas, humanitarian parole, and more.  

6/29/2022    The White House announced the grant of Deferred Enforced Departure (“DED”) and employment authorization through 6/30/24 for Liberian DED beneficiaries as of 6/30/22, and Liberian nationals who have been continuously present in the U.S. since 5/20/17.  

6/24/2022    Suspension of ICE’s enforcement priorities memo that Secretary Mayorkas issued in September 2021 goes into effect after the Fifth Circuit failed to issue a decision blocking the district court’s vacatur.  

6/24/2022    USCIS issued policy guidance whereby a noncitizen who again seeks admission more than 3 or 10 years after departure or removal is not inadmissible under INA 212(a)(9)(B), even if the noncitizen returned to the U.S., with or without authorization, during the statutory 3-year or 10-year period.

6/16/2022    USCIS announced that certain H-1B petitions and FY2023 H-1B cap petitions awaiting intake at the Vermont Service Center (VSC) are being transferred to the California Service Center for data entry and adjudication, due to delays at VSC. Receipt notices will be provided once petitions are receipted.  

6/16/2022     USCIS updated its FAQs on employment-based adjustment of status applications for Fiscal Year 2022 and its efforts to use as many available visas as possible by 9/30/22.

6/14/2022    DHS and DOS announced three new exemptions that can be applied on a case-by-case basis to allow eligible Afghans access certain immigration benefits and protections.

6/13/2022    The U.S. Supreme Court held that the government is not required to give noncitizen detainees bond hearings in which the government must show the detainees are a flight risk or a danger to the community.

6/13/2022    In a joint status report, the government advised the district court that USCIS plans to change its interpretation of INA section 219(a)(9)(B) to allow an adjustment of status applicant to spend the period of inadmissibility in the U.S. (Velasco De Gomez, et al. v. USCIS, et.al., 5/25/22)  

6/10/2022    USCIS published Adjustment of Status filing dates for July 2022.

6/10/2022    CBP announced it has added a Spanish language option for I-94 features that is available to users of the CBP One™ mobile app.  

6/9/2022    DOS provided updated information for U.S. citizens who are adopting children from Ukraine.

6/9/2022    DOS announced that the U.S. Embassy in Havana is expanding immigrant visa processing to include all immediate relative categories and will schedule interviews beginning in July 2022.

6/7/2022    DHS designated Cameroon for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months, effective 6/7/2022 through 12/7/2023. (87 FR 34706,6/7/22).

6/6/2022    DOS published the July 2022 Visa Bulletin.

6/3/2022    USCIS updated its public charge resources webpage to clarify that few noncitizens are both eligible for public benefits under the 1999 Interim Field Guidance and subject to the public charge ground of inadmissibility.

6/2/2022    CBP completed its expansion of biometric facial comparison at all international airports across the U.S.